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Taxonomic composition and seasonal distribution of microphytoplankton in Mali Ston Bay (eastern Adriatic)

Mali Ston Bay is an elongated, sparsely inhabited neritic environment and traditionally important shelfish-farming region in the south-eastern part of the Adriatic coast. The hydrography of the bay is influenced by the specific karstic hydrology (underwater springs in the inner part of the bay), and the Neretva River discharging into the outer part of the bay. Due to the estuarine circulation in winter, a stratified water column is formed, the surface layer being mostly formed above, and the subsurface layer below 6 m depth. This vertical structure was detected on the basis of temperature, salinity and phytoplankton and non-living suspended particle distribution. Phytoplankton accumulated most frequently in the surface layer in more stable conditions, and below the halocline during greater input of freshwater. Due to the relatively low phytoplankton cell density, the cell density of species indicating nutrient enrichment, as well as high species diversity and transparency, Mali Ston Bay may be indirectly classified as moderately eutrophic ecosystem, and recommended for the further development of shellfish farming activities.

Phytoplankton; halocline; stratification; cell density; chlorophyll; thermocline conditions; suspended particles; Neretva river

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